Ladybirds are not terrifying, however, as with other insects, they can become a nuisance when appearing in homes in large numbers, as they have been recently across the UK.
Britons have taken to X, previously known as Twitter, to announce that "the yearly ladybird infestation has arrived!!" and to jokingly suggest that "burning the flat down is the only option at this point!".
But why are there so many ladybirds?
Ladybirds have a particular tendency to appear as the temperature begins to cool around September and October. During this time, the harlequin ladybird species is known to be present in very large numbers.
Ladybirds seek warmth and may therefore opt to stay in tree trunks, between the cracks of stones, or even indoors.
While ladybirds generally disappear after a while, they can cause significant disruption if they choose to hibernate in homes.
Accredited ecologist Dean Wilson, from Horticulture.co.uk, told the Telegraph&Argus that the "ideal warm weather" can "(overlap) with the natural hibernation season of the insects" which has been the case over the past month, with sunny spells continuing into the autumn. He believes the warmth presents an opportunity for ladybirds to find a safe home for winter in ideal conditions.
However, Mr.Wilson assured: “We have very little to fear from ladybirds. They are completely harmless – they’ll likely overwinter in a dormant state in or around your home during winter – then fly away in spring to find food and mate.
“I would encourage the general public to enjoy the spectacle and be thankful for the range of benefits ladybirds bring to the garden.”
Preventing an infestation
Guidance outlined by PestDefence says there are a few home remedies to try to reduce the likelihood of ladybird infestation. This includes leaving the scents of citrus, cloves, and bay leaves around the house.
Moreover, fully sealing the home of any nooks and crannies and getting rid of any gaps where ladybirds can enter can reduce the risk, of not only ladybirds entering, but most insects.
